Megliola: Pedroia, Sox make deserved deal official

While Patriots coach Bill belichick was discussing Aaron Hernandez on one channel, and Hernandez was in court on another, on still another the Red Sox and Dustin Pedroia held a press conference to make the contract official that will keep the second baseman in Boston for perhaps the entirety of his career.

For Boston sports fans, there usually isn’t a compelling reason to watch mid-week daytime TV. It’s usually just one deep, empty hole.

Wednesday was different.

In Foxboro, Bill Belichick spoke for the first time since Aaron Hernandez’s meteoric downfall. That was on Comcast. At the same time, Hernandez was in an Attleboro courtroom again, handcuffed again. That was on ESPN. On the field at Fenway Park, the Red Sox held a press conference. That was on NESN.

What Belichick would say and what was new with Hernandez was of great interest. Murder always catches your eye.

At Fenway, the mood was a tad lighter. In fact, you could have guessed why the team had called a press conference: Dustin Pedroia and the Red Sox were hitching up until Pedroia’s final playing day, or until the 2021 season, whichever comes first.

All this stuff was going on around the same time.

Remote controls clicked like a swarm of crickets across New England. Belichick, Hernandez, Pedroia. Not exactly "The Young and the Restless" or "Days of Our Lives."

Pedroia, who turns 30 on August 17, will cash in around $100 million.

"The contract is the culmination of a lot of work by a lot of people," said general manager Ben Cherington, "the most important work by Dustin himself."

With free agency on the horizon after next season, Pedroia didn’t want to wait around to see how contracts shook out elsewhere, like with Yankees’ second baseman Robinson Cano. Cano knows his market value, and how much money will make him happy. Pedroia didn’t want to get into comparisons. He had his own numbers, enforced by his agents of course, and didn’t want to wait around any longer to cut a deal.

"It was a no-brainer to me," said Pedroia. "This is the place that gave me a chance to play professional baseball. I’m not going to set market (values). Our job is to win games. That’s what I play for."

Still, when he was asked if he ever doubted this day would come, he said, "Yeah, sometimes. There’s always that doubt. This is a great feeling. … It’s special for me and my family."

The way Pedroia prepares for a game, the way he plays it, never deviates. It’s like he’s on autopilot from the moment he gets to the park.

"He sets the tone," said manager John Farrell. "If you practice at full-speed you’re going to become a better player. He’s the straw that stirs the drink."

Red Bull to raging bull.

We can only guess what kind of player Pedroia will be in his late 30s. His body gets beat up, the way he plays. It’s the only way he knows. He weighs about 165. When he dusts the dirt from his uniform, he’s about 160.

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So, Pedey, what about suiting up at 38?

"I won’t be done," he said "I might get taller, stronger. I’ll be all right."

There are probably some folks thinking, great player, but really, 2021? Will he still be able to perform? Everybody knows Pedroia’s got a big heart. But he is human.

"Dustin’s different. A lot of good players have been good to their 30s," said Cherington. The deal has been struck, and the way it works the payout is about $14 million and change per season.

According to reports, the deal calls for a signing bonus of $1 million and yearly salaries of $12.5 million in 2014 and 2015, $13 million in 2016, $15 million in 2017, $16 million in 2018, $15 million in 2019, $13 million in 2020 and $12 million on 2021

Pedroia doesn’t want any part of becoming the official captain of the team. No ‘C’ on his uni, thank you. Too ostentatious, which is the last thing Dustin Luis Pedroia is.

"We have a ton of leaders, not just me," he said. "I don’t think one guy should have the voice of the team."

Jason Varitek didn’t mind wearing the ‘C’ and David Ortiz has always been looked at a Red Sox leader. Who would mess with him anyway? But he’ll be gone soon and Pedroia will play on.

Cherington simply said, "Everyone knows Dustin’s a leader."

Big Papi interrupted the press conference by sneaking up behind Pedroia and presenting him with a base, then bellowed into the microphone to underscore Pedroia’s work ethic, "When we play a night game this (expletive) is here by noon."

There really wasn’t anything else to say. And nothing was. Pedroia went over to embrace his family, which he’ll be able to take care of very, very well.